Data management

ABSTRACT

A data management system is provided for obtaining data, processing data and delivering data to an end user, said data relating to the maintenance and performance of an asset, the data management system comprising; data collection means configured to allow collection of a predetermined data set and to allow said data set to be transmitted from the data collection means; data storage means capable of receiving data transmitted from the data collection means; data processing means capable of reconfiguring said data into a predetermined format; and end user interface means to allow an end user to read said reconfigured data. Also provided is a computer apparatus for the management of data relating to the maintenance and performance of an asset, comprising means for generating a graphical user interface on a display screen, the graphical user interface consisting of a data packet containing at least one data input section, said data input section having at least one data field, wherein each section contains a text field which is capable of receiving, reading and uniquely identifying hand written text.

[0001] The present invention relates to asset performance datamanagement, in particular to the management of data relating to theperformance and maintenance of an asset such as an aircraft.

[0002] In all industries, there is a need to carefully monitor theperformance of assets. In the aircraft industry, technical data relatingto an aircraft's performance and maintenance must be collected andmonitored so that the aircraft can be certified safe for flight. Currentaircraft performance and maintenance systems include data storage meanswhich collect data manually from the aircraft. However, these systemsare not good for collecting new data as there is a time lag betweencollecting the data and adding it to the database. In addition, there isa high risk of human error when the data is collected and ofmisinterpretation of the data.

[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided adata management system for obtaining data, processing data anddelivering data to an end user, said data relating to the maintenanceand performance of an asset, the data management system comprising;

[0004] data collection means configured to allow collection of apredetermined data set and to allow said data set to be transmitted fromthe data collection means;

[0005] data storage means capable of receiving data transmitted from thedata collection means; data processing means capable of reconfiguringsaid data into a predetermined format; and

[0006] end user interface means to allow an end user to read saidreconfigured data.

[0007] Preferably said asset is an aircraft.

[0008] Preferably, the data collection means comprises a portablecomputing device.

[0009] More preferably, the data collection means comprises a hand-heldcomputing device.

[0010] Optionally, said data is transmitted from the data collectionmeans using mobile communications technology.

[0011] For example, GSM technology may be used for this purpose or othersuitable communications technology.

[0012] More preferably, said portable computing device contains at leastone data input field and a text input field capable of reading anduniquely identifying hand written text.

[0013] Optionally, the text field can function as means forauthenticating the input data so that the data in the data fields willnot be accepted without an authenticated “signature” in the text field.

[0014] Preferably, said data storage means comprises a database.

[0015] Preferably said end user interface means comprises a first securecommunications link to the data storage and data processing means suchthat the end user has direct access to the data storage and dataprocessing means.

[0016] Preferably said end user interface means further comprises adatabase and web server connected to a second secure communications linksuch that the end user has access to the data storage and dataprocessing means via the internet.

[0017] Preferably, the end user can define and send specific tasks tothe data collection means over the first communication link.

[0018] Preferably, the end user can define and send specific tasks tothe data collection means over the second communication link.

[0019] In accordance with a second aspect to the present invention thereis provided computer apparatus for the management of data relating tothe maintenance and performance of an asset, comprising means forgenerating a graphical user interface on a display screen, the graphicaluser interface consisting of a data packet containing at least one datainput section, said data input section having at least one data field,wherein each section contains a text field which is capable ofreceiving, reading and uniquely identifying hand written text.

[0020] Preferably, the computer program further includes means forinterrogating the at least one data input field and the text field suchthat the computer will recognise the section as complete once all of theat least one data fields have been completed and the text field has beencompleted with the correct, uniquely identifiable hand written text.

[0021] Preferably, the computer program further includes means forchecking that all of the at least one data input sections in the datapacket have been completed.

[0022] Preferably, the computer apparatus comprises means to receiveadditional data from a remote source corrseponding to an additionalmaintenance task, and to create at least one additional data entrycorresponding to the task.

[0023] Preferably, the hand written text is the signature of the user.

[0024] Preferably the asset is an aircraft.

[0025] Preferably, each data input section contains a plurality offields capable of receiving data related to the performance andmaintenance of the aircraft. In particular, sectors flown, data relatingto re-fuelling, oil and hydraulic fluid, anti-ice and de-icing,scheduled maintenance, information on recorded defects, notes onmaintenance to/from the crew, serious incidents and other maintenanceand operational information, including specifically defined tasks.

[0026] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method of managing data relating to the maintenance andperformance of an asset, the method comprising the steps of: collectingthe data from the asset; transmitting said data to a central locationcontaining data; processing and data storage means where the data isreconfigured; and transferring said data to an end user interface toallow an end user to read said reconfigured data.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028]FIG. 1a shows the system architecture of an embodiment of thepresent invention and FIG. 1b shows the system architecture of theembodiment of FIG. 1a without a synchronisation server;

[0029]FIG. 2 illustrates a data transmission process for use in theembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 3 shows an alternative data transmission process for use withthe present invention;

[0031]FIG. 4 shows a user interface of a hand held device of theembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

[0032]FIG. 5 illustrates the process of data entry used in an embodimentof the present invention; and

[0033]FIG. 6 is a further illustration of the process of data entry usedin an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] In the following embodiments, a service provider supplies dataentering devices in the form of handheld computers, and also provides adata management system to various users.

[0035]FIG. 1a shows an overview of the system architecture.

[0036] The data from the handheld computers 30 is transmitted via asecure communications link 40 using mobile telecommunications technologyto the service provider's data exchange server and database 10. In thisexample, the data is also transmitted via a secure physical link 42 to asynchronisation server 18. The synchronisation server 18 communicatesvia secure communications link 44 with the service provider's dataexchange server and database 10 to provide means for the server 10 toco-ordinate the incoming data.

[0037] The service provider's data exchange server and database 10 thentransmits the data via a secure internet link 46 to the user's dataexchange server and database 20 (and thereafter to their internalsystems 22) and via physical links 48, 50 to the service provider's userdatabase 12 and the service provider's web server 16.

[0038] The service provider's web server 16 also obtains data from a webserver database 14. This web server database 14 is linked to the userdatabase 12, and these two databases 12, 14 form a secure network 32.

[0039] The web server 16 is accessible to users via the internet.

[0040] All connections to the service provider's data exchange serverand database 10, secure network 32, and web server 16 are protected byfirewalls to help provide data integrity and security. The user's meansof accessing the internet 36 can also be protected by a firewall. Inaddition, the service provider's databases 10, 12, 14, and web server 16are connected by a firewall protected physical link 52 to the serviceprovider's computer network.

[0041]FIG. 1b shows a similar system architecture to that shown in FIG.1a but without a synchronisation server. In this example therefore, timesynchronisation is provided outwith the system architecture of theinvention.

[0042] Two particularly preferred embodiments are envisaged for thepresent invention, in which the basic system architecture of FIGS. 1aand 1 b can be implemented with or without real time replication to auser's exchange server and database 20. In the case of the secondembodiment, where there is no real time replication to a user's exchangeserver and database 20, the data transferred from the service provider'sexchange server and database 10 via the secure internet link 46, istransmitted directly to the user's systems 22. In addition, it ispossible for the data alone to be replicated onto the customer's site orfor the data to be accessed remotely by the customer without replicationon their site.

[0043]FIGS. 2 and 3 describe the transmission of data to and from theservice provider's exchange server and database 10, over links 40, 46and 48. The flow charts describe the decision processes and checkscarried out to regulate data transmission through these links.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the data transfer process is enabledwith real-time data replication to a server system 20 within a user'sorganisation. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows more detail ofthe data exchange process between the service provider's exchange server10 and user database 12, and the user's exchange server database 20.

[0045] As described above, the data is entered in the handheld computer30, signed off, and transmitted. The data is then received by theservice provider, upon which it is stored in the service provider'sexchange server database 10. A check is also performed to test thevalidity of the data. If the data is found to be invalid, thetransmission is aborted, otherwise the data is both replicated to theuser's exchange server database 20, and stored in the service provider'suser database 12.

[0046] Data replicated to the user's exchange server database 20 maythen be copied to the user's own internal systems 22. The success ofthis copying is verified, with an error message being displayed if thedata is not successfully copied, before the data is then deleted fromthe user's exchange server database 20. This deleted data is replicatedto the service provider's exchange server database 10, updating it toensure that the data contained in the service provider's and the user'ssystems 10, 20 matches.

[0047] Data stored in the service provider's user database 12 is storedsecurely, upon which a signal 34 is sent back to the handheld computer30 confirming completion of transmission.

[0048] In addition, the customer can send information to the handhelddevices 30 via the end user interface 52.

[0049] In a second embodiment, the data transfer process is enabledwithout real-time data replication to a server system 22 within a user'sorganisation. This is illustrated in FIG. 3. The data is entered in thehandheld computer 30, signed off, and transmitted.

[0050] The data is then received by the service provider, upon which itis stored in the service provider's exchange server database 10. A checkis also performed to test the validity of the data. If the data is foundto be invalid, the transmission is aborted, otherwise the data is bothsent directly to the user and stored in the service provider's userdatabase 12.

[0051] Data stored in the service provider's user database 12 is storedsecurely, upon which a signal 34 is sent back to the handheld computer30 confirming completion of transmission.

[0052] A check is performed to verify successful transmission of thedata to the user. If this is not confirmed, an error message isdisplayed. If transmission is successfully verified, the data is deletedfrom the service provider's exchange server database 10.

[0053]FIGS. 4 and 5 describe the data entry process where the asset inquestion is an aircraft and the recorded data relates to technicalmaintenance.

[0054] Data relating to the preparation of an aircraft for flight isentered directly into a handheld computer 30 while the aircraft is onthe ground. This handheld computer 30 stays with the aircraft andconstitutes its electronic technical log.

[0055] As seen in FIG. 4, the data to be collected, or data packet foreach flight is entered into a user interface 60. Each page 64 of theuser interface represents maintenance and performance information forthe aircraft. The pages 64 are labelled by tabs 70, and organisedon-screen so that all tabs 70 are visible and available for selection ina row along the top of the screen 62, the contents of (i.e. the pagerepresented by) the currently selected tab 72 filling the main part ofthe screen 62.

[0056] In this example, the pages 64 relate to different types oftechnical information necessary to provide a maintenance and performancerecord. These are:

[0057] the sector in which the aircraft is operating;

[0058] re-fuelling data;

[0059] oil and hydraulic fluid data;

[0060] anti-ice and de-icing data;

[0061] scheduled maintenance;

[0062] information on recorded defects;

[0063] notes on maintenance to/from the crew; and

[0064] other maintenance and operational information.

[0065] Entries made in each page 64 must be validated by entering asignature 68 of an authorised person in each page 64.

[0066] The handheld computer 30 allows entries for previous flights tobe accessed, and also displays a list of all outstanding carried-forwarddefects for the aircraft and provides a facility whereby a carriedforward defect can be transferred into the entry for the current flightand resolved.

[0067] The system can also deal with out of phase maintenance tasks.Such tasks are routine maintenance tasks that are not undertaken at thesame regular intervals as the remainder of the everyday maintenancetasks.

[0068] In particular, a two-way communication link can be establishedbetween the handheld devices 30 and the customer internet access means.This is used to send a prompt to the handheld devices informing them ofthe extra tasks that need to be carried out, so that the appropriatemaintenance can be performed.

[0069] These out of phase tasks appear on an extra page 64 that needs tobe signed off in a similar manner to the standard pages as describedabove.

[0070] In this way, a user of the system can have flexible control ofthe maintenance of his fleet of aircraft from his own website, inputtingspecific maintenance tasks to be carried out on specific aircraft.

[0071]FIG. 5 shows the process of data entry. The user accesses theprogramme and selects the tab 72 representing the page 64 into whichdata is to be input. The system checks that all data entry fields 66 ina tab 70 have been filled in before allowing the tab 70 to be signedoff. Following a successful signing off, the system then performs acheck over all tabs 70 to see if every tab 70 has been signed off. Ifnot, the user has to go back and complete the data entry, after whichthe sign-off tab 74 can be selected and signed off. This tab 74 is thelast tab 70 to be filled in, and represents a general checking ofcompleteness of the data entry, and authorisation to transmit the data.

[0072] Progress on these tasks is transmitted back to the data exchangeserver 10.

[0073] Completed entries are transmitted from the handheld computer 30to a server computer system 10, and the handheld computer 30 is thenswitched off before the aircraft takes off. The wireless transfer ofdata is achieved by means of mobile communications technology in thisexample.

[0074]FIG. 6 shows a similar process of data entry, in which analternative selection of tabs is provided. This further example isincluded to indicate the general versatility of the system, showing thatthe same principles can be used to manage data for any data management,in particular to data relating to the performance and maintenance of anasset.

[0075] The processes described are designed to ensure data integrity,security and availability.

[0076] Checks are put in place during the data entry process to ensurethat the data is not transmitted until all information has been filledin and all pages are properly authorised; the validity of the data ischecked again after transmission before being sent to the user; the datais stored on the exchange servers 10, 20 as well as the serviceprovider's secure network 32 and transfer of data is firewall protected.

[0077] In addition to the availability on the user's own system 10, theuser can also access the data via the internet, with the informationonly being accessible to authorised users. The website can containmodules to manipulate the raw data collected, and use it together withdata collected from previous flights to provide more in-depth analysis.In the case of aircraft maintenance, information could be made availablein the following forms:

[0078] Data from a single flight, including the authorisationsignatures, can be viewed and/or printed off.

[0079] Summary information on flights for a single aircraft or an entirefleet can be viewed and/or printed.

[0080] Detailed analysis of information, for example utilisationanalysis, defects analysis, or components analysis.

[0081] This internet connection provides immediate and secure world-wideaccess to the information.

[0082] The present invention allows:

[0083] entry of technical log data directly at a source using a handheldcomputer;

[0084] wireless transfer of technical data to a server computer prior totake-off; and

[0085] immediate and secure world-wide access to information based ontransferred data via the internet.

[0086] Whilst the embodiment of the present invention set out aboverelates to aircraft maintenance and performance, the present inventionmay be applied within different industries where data for monitoring thestatus assets is required.

[0087] Improvements and modifications can be incorporated to the abovewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

1. A data management system for obtaining data, processing data anddelivering data to an end user, said data relating to the maintenanceand performance of an asset, the data management system comprising; datacollection means configured to allow collection of a predetermined dataset and to allow said data set to be transmitted from the datacollection means; data storage means capable of receiving datatransmitted from the data collection means; data processing meanscapable of reconfiguring said data into a predetermined format; and enduser interface means to allow an end user to read said reconfigureddata.
 2. A data management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidasset is an aircraft.
 3. A data management system as claimed in claims 1or 2, wherein the data collection means comprises a portable computingdevice.
 4. A data management system as claimed in any preceding claim,wherein the data collection means comprises a hand-held computingdevice.
 5. A data management system as claimed in any preceding claim,wherein said data is transmitted from the data collection means usingmobile communications technology.
 6. A data management system as claimedin any of claims 3 to 5, wherein said portable computing device containsat least one data input field and a text input field capable of readingand uniquely identifying hand written text.
 7. A data management systemas claimed in any claim 6, wherein the text field can function as meansfor authenticating the input data so that the data in the data fieldswill not be accepted without an authenticated “signature” in the textfield.
 8. A data management system as claimed in any preceding claim,wherein said data storage means comprises a database.
 9. A datamanagement system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said enduser interface means comprises a first secure communications link to thedata storage and data processing means such that the end user has directaccess to the data storage and data processing means.
 10. A datamanagement system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said enduser interface means comprises a database and web server connected to asecond secure communications link such that the end user has access tothe data storage and data processing means via the internet.
 11. A datamanagement system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the end user candefine and send specific tasks to the data collection means over thefirst communication link.
 12. A data management system as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the end user can define and send specific tasks to thedata collection means over the second communication link
 13. Computerapparatus for the management of data relating to the maintenance andperformance of an asset, comprising means for generating a graphicaluser interface on a display screen, the graphical user interfaceconsisting of a data packet containing at least one data input section,said data input section having at least one data field, wherein eachsection contains a text field which is capable of receiving, reading anduniquely identifying hand written text.
 14. Computer apparatus asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the computer program further includes meansfor interrogating the at least one data input field and the text fieldsuch that the computer will recognise the section as complete once allof the at least one data fields have been completed and the text fieldhas been completed with the correct, uniquely identifiable hand writtentext.
 15. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein thecomputer program further includes means for checking that all of the atleast one data input sections in the data packet have been completed.16. Computer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein thecomputer apparatus comprises means to receive additional data from aremote source corrseponding to an additional maintenance task, and tocreate at least one additional data entry corresponding to the task. 17.Computer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein thehand written text is the signature of the user.
 18. Computer apparatusas claimed in any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the asset is an aircraft.19. Computer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 18, whereineach data input section contains a plurality of fields capable ofreceiving data related to the performance and maintenance of theaircraft.
 20. Computer apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein thedata related to the performance and maintenance of the aircraft includesdata relating to at least one of the following categories: sectorsflown, data relating to re-fuelling, oil and hydraulic fluid, anti-iceand de-icing, scheduled maintenance, information on recorded defects,notes on maintenance to/from the crew, serious incidents, any othermaintenance and operational information, including specifically definedtasks.
 21. A method of managing data relating to the maintenance andperformance of an asset, the method comprising the steps of: collectingthe data from the asset; transmitting said data to a central locationcontaining data; processing and data storage means where the data isreconfigured; and transferring said data to an end user interface toallow an end user to read said reconfigured data.